Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/960891
april 2018 / the tasting panel / 79 W ith supermarket concepts expanding to place a more artisanal focus on food and beverage, California-based Bristol Farms continues to be a trendsetter in the category. The grocery retailer's new 25,000-square-foot concept store recently opened in the northwestern 'burbs of Los Angeles on the border of Woodland Hills and Calabasas. With private-label foods, specialty deli items, wagyu meats, a global array of cheese, and a smoothie/coffee/gelato bar, this Bristol Farms location is a gourmet haven with an architectural aesthetic that emulates an intimate library: It's all wide-aisled, well-lit, low-ceilinged comfort here. As a frequent shopper at this location, I find myself planning for special "me" time each time I visit. After venturing past the health-food items, handmade desserts, and the best dark chocolate– covered raisins I've ever munched, my long-awaited last stop is the wine and spirits section. I take my time as I peruse each shelf and aisle: A store within a store, this is no average grocery wine department. Small- production labels expand a customer's grasp of the worldwide arena, but the larger name brands are there in force as well—as they should be—though they're still hand-picked for the upscale customer who shops here. Wine Manager Erik Moreno lovingly runs this shop inside Bristol Farms; armed with 20 years of experience, he started out at Beverly Hills–based Long's Drugs when it was family-owned and -oper- ated. "The founder's grandson taught me about customer service," Moreno offers. "I learned the ins and outs of creating relationships before I learned how to sell wine." Moreno's career in wine and spirits retail progressed at many of the prestigious markets, both regionally- and nationally-based. He has been studying under the Cicerone program for beer service, but also adores mezcal, tequila, and sake. "We're working on bringing edgier products here, with an emphasis on local and craft beverages," he tells The Tasting Panel. "We want our customers to be able to make their own discoveries." Moreno wants to be sure he can answer any of his customer's questions regarding the retailer's wine, spirits, and beer selection. "Bristol Farms invests in their employees; education is a vital aspect of our training," he says. "From the stock clerks to the floor staff, everyone should know what's in their department."